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Zeesenboat regattas in 2025
Why are Zeesenboats so fascinating to us?Zeesenboats, with their characteristic reddish-brown sails and wooden hulls, have been a fixture of the Bodden landscape between the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula and the mainland, extending to the islands of Hiddensee and Rügen, for decades. Fishermen used these boats in the past because of their shallow draft, ideal for the shallow Bodden waters, employing a special fishing method that gave the boats their name. Today, Zeesenboats have been restored and converted for use in excursions and regattas.
The small class of Zeesenboats at the regatta in Bodstedt 2025
Zeesenboats in the Saaler Bodden
Small class Zeesenboats at the Bodstedt 2025 regatta
The reason why Zeesenboats fascinate us so much is certainly related to the materials they are made from, but also to our perception of the traditional craftsmanship behind them. Each boat is unique, often with a history spanning decades. In the Bodden landscape, they offer a unique experience of nature. At the regattas, which are always fiercely contested by their owners, they are a major attraction. The excitement is palpable, as several boats have a chance of winning, and the accompanying onshore events also convey a shared sense of authenticity and tradition.
Rigging the Zeesenboats in the harbour of Bodstedt
Sailing at the Grand Zeesenboat Regatta Bodstedt 2025
A harbour full of Zeesenboats in Bodstedt
My experiences at the 2025 Zeesenboat Regatta in Bodstedt and the Fishermen's Regatta in Althagen can be summarised quickly. The German railway caused enormous problems on my journey from Rostock, so I decided to cycle long distances. In Bodstedt, I once again had the wonderful opportunity to sail on the tjalk "Erna" and be right in the thick of the action on the water. In excellent conditions with light winds and plenty of sunshine, the FZ25 "Gertrud" won convincingly. The conditions in Althagen were very similar. A highlight for me was that the smaller wooden boats also participated. After my experience in Wustrow in the summer at the Kleine Fischländer Wettfahrt, I'm eager for more such encounters.
Harbour Althagen with Zeesenboats
Preparations for the start of the 2025 Fishermen's Regatta in Althagen
Ready for the 2025 Fishermen's Regatta in Althagen
Zeesenboat FZ25 "Gertrud"
Relaxed sailing on small wooden boats
Wooden boats at the Althagen 2025 Fishermen's Regatta
Zeesenboat FZ37 "Krischan" finishing the Fishermen's Regatta 2025
Zeesenboat FZ33 "Sannert" at the Fishermen's Regatta 2025
Zeesenboats before the finish line of the Fishermen's Regatta 2025
Today, Zeesenboats are tourist ambassadors for the coastal culture of Mecklenburg Western Pommerania. They uniquely combine history, nature, and experience, bringing the maritime past to life for visitors.
Books about Zeesenboats
Before I was able to attend my first Zeesenboat regatta in the late 1990s, I read books about them and admired the impressive pictures. My favorite was Timm Stütz's book. Who had aerial photographs of Zeesenboats back then? A dream! The first collection of data on the remaining Zeesenboat fleet that I came across was in the book by Andreas Dietzel, Ernst-Uwe Krohn, and René Legrand. Although it wasn't entirely up-to-date even then, it showed that, unlike other types of wooden boats, many Zeesenboats could be preserved for the future. If data collections are presented in books, they would have to be reprinted very frequently to keep the information up-to-date. Digital media are better suited for this purpose.
But the era of books is far from over. For many people, in-depth work on a topic and learning are easier and more lasting with a book. Books are systematically recorded and cataloged in libraries, which ensures their longevity. And many people appreciate the feel, design, and perceived value of a book. A beautiful book is something one wants to own and can even give as a gift.
No new books on the subject of Zeesenboats are currently being published. The last one I know was written by Hermann Winkler. He is rightly considered as one of the most respected authors who have addressed the topic scientifically, meticulously, and with great personal dedication. Who could follow in his footsteps? And what kind of book would you like to see?
Hermann Winkler:
"Zeesenboote. Segler durch die Zeiten",
Hinstorff Verlag, Rostock, 1st edition, 2007,
ISBN: 978-3-356-01187-6
Extensively illustrated summary of the Zeesenboat community, fishing with a Zeese net and the preservation of traditions
Timm Stütz:
"Erlebniswelt Zeesenboote",
BusseSeewald DSV Verlag, Hamburg, 1997,
ISBN: 3-88412-247-9
Photo book with numerous large-format photographs, portrait of the fisherman Ewald Moritz, the Jarling shipyard in Freest, the construction of the new Zeesenboat FZ42 "Sunddriewer", Zeesenboats as models
Andreas Dietzel, Ernst-Uwe Krohn, René Legrand:
"Zeesenboote im Nationalpark",
Sausewind Verlag, Ribnitz - Damgarten, 1994,
ISBN: 3-9803999-0-7
Boat inventory with key data and photos of the (then) still existing Zeesenboats